FTSE 100 flat on US budget uncertainty December 4, 2012 The FTSE 100 was broadly flat in early trading as uncertainty continued over the fate of US budget talks to avert January’s so-called “fiscal cliff”. The White House has dismissed a budget deal proposal from congressional Republicans that included tax reforms and spending cuts, saying it did not meet President Barack Obama’s pledge to raise [...]
Props for new boy Auterac in Sarries win December 2, 2012 SARACENS boss Mark McCall believes prop Nick Auterac is an England star in the making after his performance in yesterday’s 28-23 Aviva Premiership win over Gloucester. Charlie Hodgson’s 23 points and Richard Wigglesworth’s try gave Sarries a five-point lead to defend but in-form Gloucester piled on the late pressure. They were awarded three scrums a [...]
Bramson’s Sherborne floats a new acquisition cash shell November 29, 2012 SHERBORNE Investors, the private equity group founded by Edward Bramson, launched its second cash shell yesterday, in a £207m listing on the Alternative Investment Market. The Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) B vehicle began trading on the junior market yesterday after a float run by Jefferies and HSBC. Bramson, who won control of F&C Asset Management in [...]
Aviva eyes 120 job losses November 29, 2012 Insurer Aviva said yesterday it would shed about 120 jobs as it merges its dedicated property claims service into its existing claims centres. The staff affected are based in Sheffield, where Aviva’s Asprea property claims management service is headquartered, the insurer said in an emailed statement yesterday. Aviva is cutting costs and selling under-performing businesses [...]
Who’s switching jobs November 28, 2012 Aviva Phil Pavitt has been appointed to the role of IT transformation director at the insurance group. He joins from HMRC, where he was general director of change. Pavitt has also held chief information officer positions at Centrica, Virgin Media and BT. MasterCard Will Judge has been appointed vice president for travel and transit. He [...]
Sarries lay groundwork for £20m move November 27, 2012 SARACENS have laid the first strips of artificial turf at their new 10,000-capacity home in Barnet as they count down to the move from Vicarage Road to £20m Allianz Park in February. The 2011 Aviva Premiership champions are set to become the first professional rugby union club to play their home games on a synthetic [...]
Who’s switching jobs November 26, 2012 Alvarez & Marsal The professional services firm has appointed Faisal Galaria as a senior director. He was previously vice president of Spotify, where he was responsible for mergers & acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Galaria has also held senior roles at Skype and eBay. Pinsent Masons Jonathan Beastall has been appointed to the law firm’s corporate [...]
Wasps victory keeps flawless home record November 25, 2012 LONDON Wasps forward Phil Swainston hailed his pack after they helped extend the club’s 100 per cent home record in the Aviva Premiership with a 14-12 victory over Leicester Tigers. Tom Varndell’s blistering try put Wasps into an early lead, and dominance at the scrum allowed Nick Robinson and Lee Thomas to kick the decisive [...]
Ansbro comeback from horror injury hands London Irish lift November 22, 2012 LONDON Irish No8 Alex Gray insists the return of Joe Ansbro after a broken neck has given them a timely boost as they look to kick-start their Aviva Premiership campaign against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. The Exiles have struggled without the Scotland centre, who suffered the injury in August, winning just two of their opening [...]
Who’s switching jobs November 22, 2012 Rocco Forte Hotels The hotels group has appointed Christian Renz to the newly-created role of global sales director. He most recently worked in senior roles at Kempinski Hotels, and has also held positions at Marriott International and the Walt Disney Corporation. BDO The accountancy and business advisory firm has announced several appointments to its financial [...]